Sourcing solid platform tyres from China

Duty on solid aerial work platform tyres

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, solid or cushion rubber tyres under 4012 90 20 00 carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control for this line.

Heading 4012 covers retreaded and used pneumatic tyres, solid or cushion tyres, rubber tyre treads and tyre flaps. This guide covers solid aerial work platform tyres only. The table shows buying variants sharing the same commodity line. For wider heading context, see solid skid steer tyres.

Give your customs broker the tyre construction, material, intended machine and whether the shipment includes wheels. Confirm classification before ordering through finding your commodity code, particularly where the supplier offers complete wheel assemblies.

Specify tyres against the platform model

Send the factory the platform make, model, existing tyre designation and wheel drawing. Specify outside diameter, width, fitting dimensions, load and speed rating, tread pattern and compound. State whether you want loose tyres or complete assemblies, and identify the fitting method. For assemblies, include the hub bore, bolt pattern and offset.

For indoor scissor lifts, specify non-marking performance against the actual floor finish. For outdoor boom lifts, describe the working surface and duty cycle. Ask for load data for the proposed size and compound, rather than accepting a catalogue photograph as proof of suitability.

Employers must keep work equipment in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair. Treat replacement tyre selection as part of maintaining the platform: compare the proposed tyre with the machine maker's data and have a suitable fitter check sample fit before committing to the batch.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 108 solid boom-lift tyres for a replacement tyre distributor under 4012 90 20 00, invoiced at £42,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £45,500. Duty at 2% is £910. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £46,410, so it is £9,282. Import taxes total £10,192; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £910 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: check tyre markings, compound designation and batch identification against the purchase specification and approved sample.

Dimensions: measure outside diameter, width and fitting dimensions. For assemblies, check the hub bore, bolt pattern and offset against the drawing.

Rubber and bond: inspect for cracks, voids, loose rubber and separation at any rubber-to-metal bond. Compare hardness with the agreed specification.

Trial fit and floor: have a suitable fitter check sample seating and clearances, then assess rolling and steering behaviour and non-marking performance on the intended floor. Record findings using quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A tyre can match the nominal size yet have the wrong fitting dimensions or compound. Loose seating, excessive hardness, chunking and cracking are practical rejection points. Non-marking descriptions also need checking on the buyer's floor. Keep an approved sample and written acceptance criteria so the factory cannot substitute a different compound without agreement.

Do not fit suspect stock simply to keep a platform available. HSE advises prompt correction of reported problems and taking the platform out of service where a defect is safety critical. Quarantine affected tyres and send the supplier photographs, batch details and measurements before agreeing replacements.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.